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New Advances in Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Disease Prevention".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 15376

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Karice Hyun

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Guest Editor

Westmead Applied Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2145, Australia
Interests: cardiovascular disease; acute coronary syndrome; health inequities; public health; epidemiology; statistics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite many decades of committed efforts to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, it continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide. Evidence-based guidelines and policies exist to help prevent and manage cardiovascular disease. However, rates of cardiovascular risk assessment are low in primary healthcare, admission and readmission rates are still high, many of those with cardiovascular disease are not provided with the optimal care, and patients find it challenging to adhere to the appropriate management after surviving the disease. In this Special Issue, we welcome your work that explores or attempts to find solutions to these ongoing issues that impede the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease. This includes methods to provide and/or promote primary or secondary prevention and management of cardiovascular disease at the policy-level, patient-level, and different levels of the healthcare system. Innovative, scalable approaches to provide support for the clinicians and patients are also invited.

Dr. Karice Hyun
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

cardiovascular disease
prevention
risk factors
disease management
adherence
intervention
policy

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 626 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Decision Support Tools for Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Do Not Meet Health Literacy Needs: A Systematic Environmental Scan and Evaluation

by Shannon McKinn, Carys Batcup, Samuel Cornell, Natasha Freeman, Jenny Doust, Katy J. L. Bell, Gemma A. Figtree and Carissa Bonner

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11705; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191811705 - 16 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1922

Abstract

A shared decision-making approach is considered optimal in primary cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. Evidence-based patient decision aids can facilitate this but do not always meet patients’ health literacy needs. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scans are increasingly used in addition to traditional cardiovascular risk scores, but the availability of high-quality decision aids to support shared decision-making is unknown. We used an environmental scan methodology to review decision support for CAC scans and assess their suitability for patients with varying health literacy. We systematically searched for freely available web-based decision support tools that included information about CAC scans for primary CVD prevention and were aimed at the public. Eligible materials were independently evaluated using validated tools to assess qualification as a decision aid, understandability, actionability, and readability. We identified 13 eligible materials. Of those, only one qualified as a decision aid, and one item presented quantitative information about the potential harms of CAC scans. None presented quantitative information about both benefits and harms of CAC scans. Mean understandability was 68%, and actionability was 48%. Mean readability (12.8) was much higher than the recommended grade 8 level. Terms used for CAC scans were highly variable. Current materials available to people considering a CAC scan do not meet the criteria to enable informed decision-making, nor do they meet the health literacy needs of the general population. Clinical guidelines, including CAC scans for primary prevention, must be supported by best practice decision aids to support decision-making. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease)

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7 pages, 287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of the “Warning Signs Campaign” on Characteristics of Patients Presenting with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) to Hospitals

by Eleanor Redwood, Karice Hyun, John French, Derek Chew, Leonard Kritharides and David Brieger

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 10700; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191710700 - 27 Aug 2022

Viewed by 1106

Abstract

Objective: The National Heart Foundation’s Warning Signs Campaign (2009–2013) aimed to raise awareness amongst the public of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), encouraging people to recognise suggestive symptoms and seek immediate medical attention. This study explores the impact of the campaign on the characteristics of patients presenting to hospitals around Australia with ACS. Design: Retrospective cohort analysis Setting: 10 Australian Hospitals recruiting for the CONCORDANCE registry continuously throughout the campaign period. Participants: Patients presenting with ACS to hospitals before, during and after the campaign ran in their jurisdiction. Main Outcome Measures: Whether an ambulance was called, time between onset of symptoms to first medical contact, as well as time between onset of symptoms to primary percutaneous intervention or lysis. Results: Time to first medical contact did not improve during or post-campaign for NSTEACS medical hours (IQI) 1.6 (0.5–4.8) pre, 2.2 (0.7–7.6) during, 2 (0.7–6.9) post (p < 0.001) or STEMI, 1.1 (0.4–3.5) pre, 1.6 (0.6–5.1) during, 1.4 (0.5–4.3) post (p = 0.0113). In STEMI, time from symptom onset to pPCI (p = 0.256) and time to lysis (p = 0.387) were also unchanged. The proportion of ambulance arrivals remained stable (pre 55% vs. during 58%, p = 0.493). Patients presenting during the campaign were more likely to be born in Australia 56% pre, 69% during, 68% post (p < 0.001), to report English as a first language 67% pre, 84% during, 79% post (p < 0.001), and had lower likelihood of prior MI or revascularization but greater likelihood of cardiovascular risk factors compared to those presenting prior. Conclusion: Among patients with ACS, we detected no increase in proportion of ambulance presentations nor earlier presentations among NSTEACS or STEMI during the campaign. There was an increase in the proportion of patients for whom English was the first language and those without a prior cardiac history but with cardiovascular risk factors, suggesting that the campaign impacted preferentially on certain strata in the community. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease)

15 pages, 517 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of CVD Risk Factors in Secondary Prevention after Ischemic Stroke Using the ICF

by Mateusz Lucki, Ewa Chlebuś, Agnieszka Wareńczak, Przemysław Daroszewski and Przemysław Lisiński

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(6), 3368; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19063368 - 12 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2190

Abstract

Background: Patients after undergoing ischemic stroke have a high risk of further cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidents. Monitoring risk factors is critical to prevent the recurrence of CVD. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine differences in the incidence of risk factors for CVD in a post-ischemic stroke patient group (SG) compared to the control group, which had not undergone ischemic stroke (CG), and to characterize them using the ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) classification system. Materials and Methods: The incidence of risk factors for recurrent CVD events were retrospectively analyzed in 55 patients in SG and 55 patients in CG. The results were translated into categories from the ICF classification system. Results: Atrial fibrillation (p = 0.013), carotid artery stenosis > 50% (p < 0.001), LDL > 71 mg/dL (p < 0.001), heart rate > 80/min (p = 0.007), taking NOAC (p = 0.008) and NSAIDs (p < 0.001) as well as nicotinism (p = 0.001) were significantly more common in SG compared to CG. The value of the distribution of the total incidence of CVD risk factors were observed to be higher for SG than for CG. In SG, both for males (p < 0.001) and females (p < 0.001) more risk factors for recurrent CVD incidents were observed compared to CG. Conclusions: Patients in SG differ in the occurrence of risk factors for CVD event compared to CG. The use of a single tool, such as the ICF assessment sheet, can be useful in assessing and analyzing risk factors for recurrent CVD events. This may help to reduce the risk of subsequent CVD events in secondary prevention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease)

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Review

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16 pages, 707 KiB

Open AccessReview

Information Needs and Communication Strategies for People with Coronary Heart Disease: A Scoping Review

by Clara C. Zwack, Carlie Smith, Vanessa Poulsen, Natalie Raffoul and Julie Redfern

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 1723; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20031723 - 17 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3189

Abstract

A critical aspect of coronary heart disease (CHD) care and secondary prevention is ensuring patients have access to evidence-based information. The purpose of this review is to summarise the guiding principles, content, context and timing of information and education that is beneficial for supporting people with CHD and potential communication strategies, including digital interventions. We conducted a scoping review involving a search of four databases (Web of Science, PubMed, CINAHL, Medline) for articles published from January 2000 to August 2022. Literature was identified through title and abstract screening by expert reviewers. Evidence was synthesised according to the review aims. Results demonstrated that information-sharing, decision-making, goal-setting, positivity and practicality are important aspects of secondary prevention and should be patient-centred and evidenced based with consideration of patient need and preference. Initiation and duration of education is highly variable between and within people, hence communication and support should be regular and ongoing. In conclusion, text messaging programs, smartphone applications and wearable devices are examples of digital health strategies that facilitate education and support for patients with heart disease. There is no one size fits all approach that suits all patients at all stages, hence flexibility and a suite of resources and strategies is optimal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease)

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18 pages, 12658 KiB

Open AccessReview

Single-Pill Combination to Improve Hypertension Treatment: Pharmaceutical Industry Development

by Magdalena Paczkowska-Walendowska, Szymon Sip, Rafał Staszewski and Judyta Cielecka-Piontek

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4156; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19074156 - 31 Mar 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5594

Abstract

Multiple illness is an increasingly common phenomenon. Its consequence is the need for polytherapy, which is particularly common among people suffering from arterial hypertension. The development of combined preparations (containing at least two API-active pharmaceutical ingredients) dedicated to the treatment of hypertension is a response to increased compliance, especially in elderly patients. In our work, we describe in particular the possibilities of using β-adrenergic receptors blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in combinations. The combinations of APIs are used as single pills in patients with arterial hypertension with concomitant diseases such as hyperlipidemia; blood coagulation problems and diabetes mellitus were also discussed successively. Pharmacoeconomic analysis for the API combinations shown is also presented. As a final conclusion, numerous benefits of using the combined preparations should be indicated, especially by the elderly and/or in patients with coexistence of other diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease)

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